machine

/məˈʃiːn/ (bre, ipa) · /məˈʃiːn/ (ame, ipa) · /mə-ˈshēn/ (ame, mw)

machine — 名詞

  • machinesingular
  • machinesplural

1. a physical device made of connected parts that uses electricity, gas, or another

1.名詞A2
釋義

機器

由多個部件組成、使用動力的裝置

a physical device made of connected parts that uses electricity, gas, or another power source to perform a specific job

例句

Amani pressed the button on the coffee machine and waited for her drink.

Amani 按下了咖啡機上的按鈕，等著飲料做好。

countable noun: coffee machine for a specific purpose

The factory manager ordered a new packing machine after the old one kept breaking down.

工廠經理訂購了一台新的包裝機器，因為舊的機器一直故障。

factory setting; machine for industrial use

同義詞
  • device

    more general; any tool or piece of equipment, not necessarily with moving parts

  • appliance

    used for household machines such as fridges, ovens, and cleaners

  • apparatus

    more technical; used for scientific or specialized equipment

  • machinery

    collective noun for a group of machines, not a single unit

文法句型

a/the machine

machine + noun (machine parts)

用法筆記

Followed by a noun modifier to specify the purpose: coffee machine, washing machine, vending machine, etc.

常見錯誤

❌The machine of the car is broken.
✅The engine of the car is broken.
💡'machine' refers to a complete device, not a single internal part like an engine.

2. a computer or laptop, especially when referred to informally

2.名詞B1
釋義

電腦

指電腦的非正式說法

a computer or laptop, especially when referred to informally

例句

Apinya spends all evening on her machine, playing games and messaging her friends.

Apinya 整個晚上都坐在她的電腦前，玩遊戲並和朋友傳訊息。

informal: 'on my machine' = on my computer

The new machine in the office boots up in less than ten seconds.

辦公室那台新機器不到十秒鐘就開機完成了。

同義詞
  • computer

    the standard term; neutral register

  • PC

    specifically a personal computer running Windows

  • laptop

    portable computer, distinct from a desktop tower

文法句型

a/the machine

on a/the machine

用法筆記

Common in workplace and IT contexts. Often used with possessive: 'my machine', 'your machine'. Avoid in formal writing where 'computer' is preferred.

常見錯誤

❌I brought my machine to the repair shop.' (unclear)
✅I brought my computer to the repair shop.
💡Outside IT/office settings, 'machine' as 'computer' may cause confusion.

3. a vehicle, especially a motorcycle or car, referred to in an informal or admirin

3.名詞B2
釋義

車輛

對汽機車的非正式或欣賞用語

a vehicle, especially a motorcycle or car, referred to in an informal or admiring way

例句

Roya jumped on her machine and rode off towards the coast road.

Roya 跳上她的車，朝海岸公路呼嘯而去。

slang: 'my machine' = my motorcycle

The mechanic told Kenji that his machine needed a full engine replacement.

技師告訴 Kenji，他的車需要更換整顆引擎。

同義詞
  • bike

    shorter, very common slang for motorcycle

  • ride

    casual term for any vehicle, especially a motorcycle

文法句型

a/the machine

on a machine (motorcycle)

用法筆記

Primarily used by motorcycle and car enthusiasts. 'Nice machine!' is an admiring comment about someone's vehicle. This sense feels dated in British English but remains current in American and Australian usage.

常見錯誤

❌I drove my machine to work.' (vague)
✅I rode my motorcycle to work.
💡In everyday speech, this sense sounds affected unless the context clearly signals an enthusiast register.

4. the group of people and systems that control and organize a political party, gov

4.名詞B2
釋義

組織核心

掌管政黨或大型組織的一群人

the group of people and systems that control and organize a political party, government, or other large organization

例句

The party machine raised millions of dollars for the presidential campaign.

該政黨機器為總統競選活動募集了數百萬元。

collocation: party machine

Despite public anger, the government machine continued to process policy changes without any pause.

儘管公眾感到不滿，政府機器仍然繼續處理政策變更，絲毫沒有停頓。

collocation: government machine

同義詞
  • apparatus

    more formal; 'the state apparatus' — similar meaning, neutral to slightly negative

  • system

    broader and less political; 'the legal system' does not imply control by a small group

  • organization

    neutral term without the machine metaphor's mechanical, impersonal feel

文法句型

the + noun + machine

用法筆記

Often used with a modifier: 'party machine', 'political machine', 'government machine', 'war machine'. Frequently carries a negative connotation, suggesting the organization operates without regard for individual people.

常見錯誤

❌The office machine decided to fire him.' (unclear)
✅The company's management machine decided to let him go.
💡The modifier (party, political, government, etc.) is essential for clarity.

5. a person who works or performs in a highly efficient, tireless way, often withou

5.名詞B2
釋義

高效率者

像機器一樣做事高效的人

a person who works or performs in a highly efficient, tireless way, often without showing emotion

例句

In the courtroom, Judge Okafor was a machine, moving through cases with cold precision.

在法庭上，Okafor 法官就像一部機器，冷靜精準地處理一件又一件案子。

metaphor: 'was a machine' = worked tirelessly and efficiently

Élise became a scoring machine during the basketball tournament, hitting shot after shot.

Élise 在籃球錦標賽中變成了得分機器，一球接一球地投進。

collocation: scoring machine

同義詞
  • workaholic

    focuses on long hours rather than efficiency; may imply addiction to work

  • automaton

    stronger negative sense of acting without thought or feeling

  • robot

    similar metaphor; often suggests mechanical, repetitive actions

文法句型

be a machine

work like a machine

用法筆記

Used as a compliment about efficiency, but can carry a hint of dehumanization — it implies the person lacks emotion or spontaneity. 'A scoring machine' or 'a goal machine' in sports is purely positive slang.

常見錯誤

❌She is a machine, but she is not very smart.' (contradicts the meaning)
✅She is a machine when it comes to data entry.
💡The metaphor emphasises speed and accuracy, not intelligence.

machine — 動詞